Ball tethering device



H. E. 'rEBaE-Trs, JR 2,653,817

BALL TETHERING DEVICE Sept. 29, 1953 Filed July 25, 1949 2 Sheets-Skaai.1'

/N VEA/rok.'

HERBERT 0 w//v 72555775, JR.

Sept- 29, 1953 H. E. TEBBETTS, JR 2,653,817

BALL TETHERING DEVICE Filed July 25, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /N VLA/Tof?.

HERBERT E0 w//v EBBETTSJR.

BY HIS HTTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 29, 1953 BALL TETHERING DEVICE Herbert Edwin Tebbetts,Jr., Whittier, Calif., as-

signor to W. J. Voit RubberCorporation, Los Angeles, Calif., acorporation ofk California Application July 25, 1949, Serial No. 106,706

3 Claims. l

My invention relates in general to molded articles and their manufactureand, more particularly, to balls of moldable materials of a rubberlikenature. As used herein, the kterm moldable material is intended toinclude not only natural rubber, but any similar synthetic materials,such as the so-called synthetic rubbers, thermoplastics, andthermosetting resins.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a ball which may berestrained, or tethered by a cord, or its equivalent, of any suitablematerial. The invention may take the form of an athletic tether ball, aball or float for supporting iish nets, a sewer ball, etc. Forconvenience, the term tether ball will be employed genericallyhereinafter to designate any such ball embodying the invention withoutlimiting the invention to an athletic tether ball. n

An important object of my invention is to provide a tether ball havingan attachment means for a tethering cord which is securely bonded to thewall of the ball so that, in effect, it forms an integral part thereof.f

Another object is to provide a tether ball having a cord attachmentmeans which includes an attachment member, preferably of moldablematerial, bonded to the wall of the ball.

Another object is to provide a ball wherein the cord attachment meanscomprises a securing member embedded in the attachment member andextending into a cavity therein, the securing member being adapted tohave connected thereto a tethering cord which is insertable into thecavity in the attachment member.

Another object is to provide a generally S- shaped securing member whichis embedded inv the attachment member and which is provided with anintermediate portion spanning the cavity in the attachment member, suchintermediate portion of the securing member being adapted to have atethering cord looped therearound.

Still another object is to provide a tether ball wherein the cavity inthe attachment member is generally keyhole shaped and includes anenlargement at one end, such enlargement being adapted to receive a knotor other enlargement at one end of a tethering cord `which is looped;

around the intermediate portion of the S-shaped securing member. Theknot serves to prevent disengagement of the cord from the securingmember and is substantially entirely disposed within the enlargement ofthe keyhole-shaped cavity so that a ball having. an outer vsurfacesubstantially free from protuberances is obtained, which is an importantfeature of the invention.v

A further object is to provide an attachment member for a tether ball,which provides means for securing a tethering cord to the ball.

An important object of the invention is to provide an attachment memberwhich may be bonded to either the inner or outer surface of the wall ofan inflatable tether ball, or which may be placed between andy bonded toadjacent laminae of the wall in the event that a wall of laminatedconstruction is used.

The foregoing objects of my invention and the advantages suggestedthereby, together with various other objects and advantages which willbecome apparent, may be attained through the utilization of theexemplary embodiments which are illustrated in the accompanying drawingsand which will be described in detail hereinafter.y Referring to thedrawings:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view, partially in section, illustrating atether ball of laminated construction which embodies the invention andi1- lustrating one step in the manufacture of the ball;

' Fig. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view taken along thebroken line 2--2 of Fig. 1 and illustrating an attachment means for atethering cord as incorporated in the ball of Fig. r1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational view showing the exteriorof the ball of Fig. 1 in the vicinity of the attachment means andshowing elements of the attachment means in dotted lines; Y

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing, on a reduced scale,v a completedtether ball which embodies the invention and showing a tethering cordconnected to the attachment means there- Fig. 5 is a perspective view,on a reduced scale, of another completed tether ball which embodies theinvention;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 2 ofthe drawings but illustrating another embodiment of an attachment meansfor a tethering kcord as incorporated in a tether ball of laminatedconstruction; and

Figs.A 'I and 8 are enlarged, fragmentary sectional views similar toFig. l2'of the drawings but showing thek attachment means illustrated inFig. 2 incorporated in tether balls of nonlaminated construction, theattachment means being located interiorly of the wall of the ball inFig. 7 and exteriorly thereof in Fig. 8.

Considering the embodiment of myinvention which is illustrated in Figs.l to 3 of the drawings, the numeral i0 indicates a laminated tether ballof moldedV construction, the ball I0 being provided with an attachmentmeans II to which a cord I 2 for tethering the ball may be connected, asindicated in Figs. 4 and 5 of the drawings: The ball III is inflatableand includes a wall structure I3 which defines a space Il for an inatinggas such as air. Except for the provision of the attachment means I| forthe tethering cord I2, the ball I is of conventional laminatedconstruction and may be made by conventional methods.

As best shown in Fig. 1 of the drawingsthe wall structure |3 of the ballI0 includes three4 layers or laminae in the particular constructionillustrated, these laminae being. identified by the numerals I1, IB and|9. The innermost. lamina |1 is formed of moldable material kandisadapted to retain air or other gas in the space Il', a suitableinflating valve being permanently'secured to the lamina |1 in a mannernot specifically shown but well known in the art.V VAir for inating theball I0 may be introduced into the space I4 through the valve 20 bymeans of a needle. 2|, or in any othersuitable manner. The air or otherinflating gas introduced into the space I4 through the valve 20 Visretained by the inner laminamH, which may be termed aVbladderufonconvenience.

The lamina I9 is disposed intermediate. the bladder I1 and the outermostlamina I9 and is bonded thereto so that, in effect, the laminae I1, I8and I9 form an integralwall structure I3. The intermediate lamina I9reinforces the wall structure I3 of the ball and may be formed of anysuitable material, although a material of a fibrous nature is preferred.For example, the reinforcing lamina or layer I8 may be formed of fabricbonded to the laminae I1 and I9 or may be formed vof thread or cordwound around the bladder 1 and bonded to the bladder and the lamina I9.Although I have shown but a 'single reinforcing layer I8, it will beunderstood that more than one may be employed if desired. o x l A Theouter lamina I9 constitutes a cover for the ball I0 and may be formed ofany suitable wearresisting material, particularly if the ball is used asan athletic ball. For example, the cover I9 mayV comprise leather bondedto the reinforcing layer I8, although Ik prefer to provide a ballwherein the cover is formed of a moldable material. In the event thatamoldable material 'is used for the cover I9, particularly if the ball IIl is used as an athletic ball, the covernmay be grooved, as indicatedinFig. 4. to simulate the seams of a conventional leather cover, ifdesired. The cover may also be left ungrooved. as indicated in Fig. 5,particularly if the ball I0 is used as a float for fish nets, orotherwise. As heretofore mentioned, the wall structure I3 of the ball I0may be made by conventional methods, an example of which will now beconsidered. As commonly practiced, a first stepin making the wallstructure I3 is to take a bladder I1 and partially inflate it to a sizesomewhat less than the desired size of the finished ball. A coating of avulcanizable material, such as latex or rubber cement, is then appliedto the bladder I1, as by dipping or spraying, for example..Subsequently, the reinforcing layer I8 is applied to the coated bladder,pieces of fabric Abeing vplaced thereon if a fabric-reinforcing layer isemployed, and thread or cord being wound thereon ifa wound reinforcinglayer is employed. Preferably, a rubberized reinforcing material isemployed.

`Another coating of vulcanizable rubber material is applied to thereinforcing layer I8, and the cover I9 is then applied. Subsequently,the

ball is placed in a suitable mold, such as a mold 24, having a cavitycorresponding in size and shape to the size and shape desired for theflnished ball. As indicated previously, if a rubber cover I9 is employedas is preferred, the Wall of the mold cavity 25 may be provided withridges, or the like, to produce any desired design on the surface of thefinished ball, as illustrated in Fig. 4 of the drawings, or the finishedball may be smooth, as illustrated in Fig. 5 of the drawings.

lSubsequently, the mold 24 is heated in any suitable manner to bond thevarious components of theball together, thereby bonding the laminae I1,I8' and I9 together to form, in effect, an integral wall structure I3for the ball. Subsequently, the finished ball Il) is deflated andremoved from the mold.

As previously indicated, the wall structure I3 of the ball and theforegoing method of making it per se form no part of the presentinvention, the invention residing inthe provision of a ball havingtheattachment means I I incorporated thereinV and in the provision of amethod of making such a ball.

The attachment means II of the invention includes an attachment member28, preferably, but not necessarily, formed of a moldable material,which, in the embodiment being considered, is preferably insertedbetween two of the laminae I1, I8, and I9 forming the wall structure I3o! the ball, the attachment member preferably, but not necessarily,being of circular plan form. In the. particular constructionillustrated, the attachment member 28 is disposed between the bladder I1and the reinforcing layer I8, although, in. some instances, it may beotherwise located with respect to the laminae I1, I8 and I9.

The attachment member 28 is provided with a cavity 29 therein, which, asbest shown in Fig. 3 ofwthe drawing, is preferably generally keyholeshaped, the cavityrhaving an enlargement 30 at one end thereof. At thejunction of the enlargement 30 ofthe cavity 29 and the smaller portion of such cavity are shoulders 30a which face the enlargement and which areadapted to serve as seats for a knot disposed in the enlargement toprevent movement of the knot from the enlargement intowthe relativelynarrow portion of the cavity 29, is Ydiscussed in more detailhereinafter. Embedded in the attachment member 28, as by being moldedtherein, is a securing means comprising a generally S-shaped securingmember 3| havingva portion 32 intermediate its ends which extends acrossthe cavity 29 adjacentthe enlargement 30 thereof. As best shown in Fig.2 of the drawing, the intermediate portion 32 of the member 3| is spacedfrom the bottom of the cavity 29 to provide an opening 33 for thetethering cord I2 as will be discussed in more detail herein.

After the rubber coating has been applied to the partially inflatedbladder |1 in the manner hereinbefore described, the member 28 with themember 3| therein is placed on the bladder in the desired position.Preferably, a coating of bonding material such as latex, rubber cement,or other suitable material, is applied to the outer surface of themember 28. Subsequently, the reinforcing layer I8 and the cover I9 areplaced onY theY partially inflated bladder |1 and over the member 2B ina manner similar to that described hereinbefore, the reinforcing layerand cover overlying the cavity 29 in the member 28 at this stage. Itwill be noted that the member 28 istapered toward its periphery so thatthe bladder |1 and the reinforcing layer I8 are in contact immediatelyadjacent the rperiphery of this member.

After the attachment member 28 has been placed on the bladder I1 and thereinforcing layer I8 and cover I9 have been placed over the bladder andthis member, the ball is placed in the mold cavity 25 and the ball issubsequently cured in the manner hereinbefore described so that thelaminae I'I, I8 and I9 and the member 28 are all bonded together, toform in eifect an integral structure. When the ball is placed in themold cavity 25, and is inflated therein to a relatively high pressure,the wall of the mold cavity prevents outward movement of the member 28so that, as a result, the bladder I'I is depressed inwardly, therebyproviding the ball with a smooth outer contour. After the ball isremoved from the mold 24 and is subsequently inated for use, thereinforcing layer I8 prevents outward movement of the member 28 topreserve the shape provided by the mold. For this reason, the attachmentmember 28 is preferably disposed between the bladder II and thereinforcing layer I8 although the invention is not necessarily limitedto disposing the member 28 between the layers I1 and I8. For example,the member 28 may be disposed between the layers I8 and I9, or if morethan one reinforcing layer are used, it may be disposed between adjacentones of such reinforcing layers. Also, as will become apparent, themember 28 may be disposed interiorly or exteriorly of the wall structureI3.

After removal of the ball from the mold 24, the portions ofthereinforcing layer I3 and cover I9 overlying the cavity 29 in theattachment member 28 are out away to provide a generally keyhole-shapedopening 36 therethrough which registers with the keyhole-shaped cavity29, the opening 35 having an enlargement 3'I which corresponds to andregisters with the enlargement ment 39 of the cavity 29. The provisionof the opening 35 completes the manufacture of the ball I9.

When the ball I is to be prepared for use,

the tethering cord I2 is looped around the intermediate portion 32 ofthe securing member 3l embedded in the attachment member 28 by insertingone end of the cord through the opening 33 between the intermediateportion 32 of the member 3| and the bottom of the cavity 29. Withdrawalof the cord I2 through the opening 33 is prevented by a knot 38 on thecord in the particular construction illustrated, the knot preferablybeing formed at one end thereof. As will be apparent, the knot 38engages the shoulders 33a to prevent passage of the knot into thereduced portion of the cavity 29. The enlargement 38 of the cavity 29 ispreferably of a size to receive the entire knot 38 so that no portion ofthe knot projects outwardly beyond the outer surface of the cover I9 ofthe ball. This is particularly important if the tether ball I9 is usedas an athletic tether ball since it avoids any protuberances which mightinjure the hands of a player using the ball, and is an important featureof my invention. The cord I2 may also be secured to the member 3I inother ways, as by looping the cord around the portion 32 thereof, forexample. Also, a hook (not shown) may be provided at one end of the cordfor engagement with the member 3l.

Referring to Fig. 6 of the drawings, I show another embodiment of myinvention wherein the ball is provided with an attachment means 4I whichperforms the same function as the attachment means I I. comprises anattachment member 42 which is disposed between and bonded to the bladderI'I and the reinforcing layer I 8 in the particular constructionillustrated, although it may be placed in any desired position withrespect to the laminae I'I, I8 and I9 forming the wall structure I3 ofthe ball as previously discussed. Embedded in the member 42, as by beingmolded therein, is a securing means comprising a bushing 43 having acavity 44 therein, the wall of the cavity 44 having threads 45 thereonlwhich extend into the cavity. Adapted to be threaded into the cavity 44is a plug 46 having external threads 41 thereon which are adapted toengage the threads 45 on the wall of bushing cavity 44. The plug 43 isprovided with an opening 48therethrough for a tethering cord such as thecord I2, and is provided with a cavity 49 which cooperates with theinner portion of the cavity 44 in the bushing to provide a space for aknot at the inner end of the cord inserted through the opening 48. Inthis construction, the knot is completely confined in the space providedin the cavity 49 and the inner portion of the cavity 44 so that theouter surface of the ball is free from protuberances.

It is also to be noted that the attachment members II and 42 may beseparately made and sold to the trade for incorporation in an otherwiseconventional inflatable tether ball, and the invention contemplates suchan attachment member per se.

In Figs. 7 and 8 of the drawings, I show tether ball embodiments eachhaving a nonlaminated wall structure I3a of a moldable material. In Fig.7, the attachment means II is shown bonded to the inner surface of thewall structure I3a, whereas, in Fig. 8, it is shown bonded to the outersurface thereof. In Fig. 7, the wall structure I3a is shown providedwith a cavity 36a registering with the cavity 29. The external surlfaceof the wall structure I3a may be grooved, as in Fig. 4, or left plain,as in Fig. 5. It will be understood that the attachment means 4I may besubstituted for the means II in the embodiments of Figs. 7 and 8.

Thus, it will be apparent that the invention may be applied to tetherballs of both laminated and nonlaminated construction.

Although I have disclosed exemplary embodiments of my invention hereinfor purposes of illustration, it will be understood that variouschanges, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated thereinwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

l. An attachment member for a ball, including: a body portion adapted tobe secured to the ball, said body portion having an inner and an outerwall surface and a cavity formed in said outer wall surface, said cavityhaving a relatively narrow portion and a relatively wide portion, therebeing shoulders at the junction of said relatively wide portion withsaid relatively narrow portion which face said relatively wide portionand which are adapted to serve as seats for a knot disposed in saidrelatively wide portion to prevent movement of such knot from saidrelatively wide portion into said relatively narrow portion; andsecuring means in said cavity for securing a cord to said body portionand disposed between said narrow and wide portions of said cavity.

2. An attachment member for a ball, includ- The attachment means 4Illng: a body portlofadaptd to be secured to' the b'all', saidbody portionhaving an inner and an outer wall surface and having a generallykeyhole-shaped cavity in said outer wall surface, said cavity having arelatively narrow portion to snugly receive a cord and a relatively wideportion tosnugly receive' a knot at one end of the cord, said relativelynarrow portion and said relatively wide portion providing shoulders attheir junction which face said relatively wide portion to serve asseatsfor the knot to keep the knot from being drawn into said relativelynarrow portion; and securing means carried by said body portion andextending across said cavity above the bottom thereof and adjacent thejunction of said relatively narrow and relatively Wide portions thereof,the cord being adapted to pass under said securing means.

3. An attachment member for a ball as dened in claim 2 wherein saidsecuring means includes a substantially S-shaped securing member themiddle leg of which extends across said relatively narrow portion ofsaid cavity above the bottom thereof and adjacent the junction o! saidrela tively narrow portion with said relatively wide portion, saidS-sha'ped securing member being embedded in said body portion.

HERBERT EDWIN TEBBETTS, JR.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

